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Pneumonia shots urged for elderly

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@thecitizennews.com

Because of the flu vaccine shortage, persons over age 65 are being urged to do the next best thing: Take a vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pneumonia is one of the most dangerous complications of the flu and the one-time vaccine is important for persons over age 65, said Elizabeth Fitch, public health risk coordinator.

The vaccine is available at the health department and from private physicians, officials said. Pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalizes approximately 175,000 people and kills an estimated 40,000 people in the U.S. each year.

In 2002, 13 people ages 60 and older died of pneumonia in Fayette County while another 155 persons were hospitalized with pneumonia, according to state health statistics.

Health officials are recommending the vaccine for persons 65 and over, those who have a chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease or diabetes. The vaccine is also urged for persons with compromised immune systems due to illness or chemotherapy, and for persons who live in a long-term care facility.

The pneumococcal vaccine is available for children and adults, and most adults only need to receive the vaccine once, officials said.

Health officials also urge the following precautions to protect persons from contracting the flu virus:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others.

• Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home from school when they are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a sleeve when coughing or sneezing and discard used tissues immediately.

• Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.